This bill establishes a prohibition on the Iowa Department of Transportation and the state transportation commission from seeking an interstate road designation for a specific segment of highway, namely the controlled-access facility designated as state highway 5 and United States highway 65, between interstate 35 and interstate 80. This prohibition is contingent upon the U.S. government providing an exemption to federal regulations regarding vehicle weight and size for that segment. The bill also amends existing law to allow implements of husbandry to continue operating on this segment of highway, even if it becomes part of the interstate road system, provided they were authorized to do so prior to the designation.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Transportation to work with the Des Moines area metropolitan planning organization to conduct a study aimed at developing an alternative highway route suitable for implements of husbandry. This alternative route must be accessible and allow these vehicles to operate alongside, but not directly on, the designated segment of highway. The provisions of the bill will apply to the specified segment of highway from the effective date onward, regardless of any future changes to the highway's designation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 306A.2